Work smart, not hard workshop

Join us for an interactive workshop with the Tucker Family as they look at ways to streamline their farming system, reduce the need for extra staff and free up time for the family.

You’ll hear how lean management can identify waste within your business whether that’s unproductive time, poor use of resources or inefficient processes – it all adds up.

Dr George Fisher, an independent consultant, will share his work applying lean principles to help the Tuckers plan work more effectively, develop simple protocols for routine jobs and reduce costs.

If you own or manage a block calving herd and want to learn more about applying practical lean management techniques to your business then this is the workshop for you.

Places are limited as the workshop will be an open two–way discussion where you’ll be expected to share your own experiences.

To book your place email Knowledge Exchange Manager, Kate Harris kate.harris@ahdb.org.uk 

Or for more information, please call Kate on 07929 203703.

About Ditchett’s Farm

Richard Tucker, together with his parents Nigel and Brenda, runs a spring-block herd of 222 New Zealand Friesians and Friesian Jersey X’s on 182 ha at Dichetts Farm near Tiverton in Devon.

The cows have an average mature weight of around 500 kg. Annual yield per cow is 5,400 litres, with average solids of 4.61% butterfat and 3.62% protein, supplying Arla.

The grazing platform extends to 61 ha plus 20 ha for silage. A 20/40 swingover parlour was installed in 2006 with subsequent investment in cow/youngstock housing and tracks. Youngstock are reared on a second rented farm where 6.5 ha of kale are grown for outwintering. The Tuckers also produce 360 geese for the Christmas market and have 140 breeding ewes.        

The family have been long-time members of the ‘Grassmasters’ discussion group and Richard is currently Chairman of Devon NFU. 

To follow their story visit www.ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/Ditchetts-Farm 

About Strategic Dairy Farms

Strategic dairy farms help farmers learn from each other through regular on-farm meetings where we share key performance data and showcase what the best farmers are doing.

They form part of the Optimal Dairy Systems programme which aims to help dairy farmer’s lower costs and increase efficiency by focusing on either a block or all-year-round calving system.

The growing network of strategic dairy farms have calculated key performance indicators (KPIs) for their enterprises which are shared at meetings and published online. These are physical and financial performance measures that are critical to success. Farmers can benchmark their businesses against these KPIs and identify areas for improvement.

Follow the programme and find other strategic farms at www.ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/dairy